Comments on: Wherein I work out my daddy issues and insult all Baby Boomer grandparents.

By: Kat

Kat — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 22:15:08 +0000

Jennifer – Vent away! That's what I was hoping for, actually, as it makes ME feel less immature and spoiled. Rock on, girlfriend.

Charles – I am often perplexed at the sometimes WIDE disparity of experience or treatment between two siblings in the exact same household. Much less between kids and grandkids of the same people.

People are weird. That's the best explanation I can come up with. People are just weird.

By: Kat

Kat — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:10:11 +0000

Jennifer – Vent away! That’s what I was hoping for, actually, as it makes ME feel less immature and spoiled. Rock on, girlfriend.

Charles – I am often perplexed at the sometimes WIDE disparity of experience or treatment between two siblings in the exact same household. Much less between kids and grandkids of the same people.

People are weird. That’s the best explanation I can come up with. People are just weird.

By: Charles Robinson

Charles Robinson — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:00:04 +0000

My parents were, in a nutshell, awful. My dad was a violent alcoholic and my mom was a passive-aggressive emotional vampire. I was the youngest of four and the victim of all the abuse that trickled down.

I won’t have kids of my own so I’ll never know how my parents might have interacted with them. My sister does, though, and my niece and nephew are treated very differently than my sister and I were.

I’m perplexed that parents who abuse their own children can be doting grandparents.
Charles Robinson´s last blog ..Gone fishing

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:38:06 +0000

I hear you. My in-laws raised 7 kids,and are entitled to some time to their selves now that they are in their 60s, but they live near by and offer to help out often. But whenever I’ve asked for a break, They can’t deliver. They have a very active schedule of church, prayer groups, and volunteering one afternoon each week with Meals on Wheels and it seems I only ask when they have an important activity. They expect to be invited on every family outing we plan, but if my husband or I want to leave the kids with them for an afternoon to recharge our batteries -sorry, no. When I suggested setting up a time each week or every other week where I could drop off her grand child and I could get some work done, she said sounds great, she’ll charge $5 an hour.

And If I mention some child rearing annoyance that is getting to me, I get a loud fake laugh and “You only have 1 child. Relax, enjoy him. He’ll be grown before you know it” I realize this is true, but can’t I feel and vent frustration when I need too? Then she’ll tell be how lucky I am, She had the same problems times 7 and no Mother-in-law near by for help.

I sound immature and spoiled, but hope you understand. I’m not, but it helps to vent. Four years into this, I’m mostly used to it. I know there are lots of parents out their happy to be active parts in their grandchildrens lives- most of my friends have very helpful parents. But not mine or yours.

Good luck!